With my life being music, I cannot afford to go days on end without proper equipment to perform. Recently, the neck on my acoustic guitar broke and now I have been looking at purchasing a new one as soon as possible. There are so many brands out there and you really could get distracted trying to narrow it down. But, this is not my first time shopping for an acoustic guitar and I luckily can narrow it down a lot quicker than the average person.

You really have to know what you are looking because there are plenty of brands that are actually knock-offs and are of below average quality. Plus, some brands have the audacity to charge exorbitant prices but fail to deliver on quality. Especially if you are shopping online, you need to be able to phase out as many wannabe contenders to make an informed decision.

How inexpensive can you get when it comes to an acoustic guitar? Well, there are some that can cost around $100, while there are others that can cost many times that amount. But don’t be fooled, because you can still get a great-sounding guitar for next to nothing. I will cover a couple of the acoustic guitars that I know can provide the value and sound that you will love.

As one of the industry’s top-selling acoustic guitars, the Epiphone DR-100 has all the bells and whistles that you come to expect from this company, from its classic, simple design to its amazing finishing options. For a sound that is bright and clear, and full of range, there are few acoustic guitars that can compete, especially when the price is factored in. I personally think it sounds a lot better than other acoustic guitars in its class and for such a rich tone, it is certainly worth the $100 investment.

What do you get with this guitar? Well, a lot more than you would imagine: a spruce top that is laminated, body panels in mahogany, and more. It also plays better over time, producing a sound that resonates spectacularly. I like it because you can play all genres with it from blues to rock and everything in between, plus fingerpicking. I especially like it as it’s great for singing and playing live simultaneously. For a country or rock sound, few acoustic guitars really can compare and it blends well with other voices in harmony too. Clearly, this Epiphone model was produced to execute a brilliant sound for the money and I readily endorse it.

If you are looking for an acoustic guitar that is easy to tune, look no further. In fact, it is able to hold tunes for a week or more. I was able to play it right out the box. And with a 2-year warranty, you have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

Compared to other acoustic guitars, this Yamaha model boasts some great quality points that set it apart from others on the market. It comes fully loaded with picks and even the option to throw in a hard case shell for $50 more. The Yamaha FG800 is an improvement over the previous FG700S, which I consider one of the best acoustic versions ever.

The body for this model is constructed from nato wood, which is a great alternative if you cannot get the more pricier mahogany, which is not as environmentally friendly, either. It is also ergonomically supportive, making it ideal for those that want a smaller option to play around your house. With frets and strings so close, you don’t have to worry about extreme discomfort when playing on it and that makes it also perfect for beginning players.

Did I tell you how much I love the design? It has been constructed to hold intonation and keep vibrations at a minimum. This version looks and sounds completely natural. Another aspect that really makes this model a winner is that it comes with a lifetime warranty. That is an enormous bonus, and one of the many reasons why Yamaha continues to receive high accolades within the community and among consumers. They always produce excellent products and they really know the industry inside and out.